A hobby is a regular activity that is done for pleasure, typically during one’s leisure time. Hobbies can include collecting themed items and objects, engaging in creative and artistic pursuits, playing sports, or pursuing other amusements. By continually participating in a particular hobby, one can acquire substantial skill and knowledge in that area. Generally speaking, a person who engages in an activity solely for fun is called a ‘hobbyist’, whereas a ‘professional’ generally engages in an activity for reward and an ‘amateur’ (from French for “lover of”) does so out of personal interest in an activity. While an amateur may be as skilled as a professional, a professional receives compensation while an amateur generally does not.
